The Nationals have agreed to terms with free-agent outfielder Jayson Werth, who is getting a seven-year deal worth a reported $126 million.
We’re very proud to announce the signing of Jayson Werth to a contract with the Washington Nationals,” general manager Mike Rizzo said at a news conference. “He’ll be a centerpiece of our ballclub on the field and in the clubhouse.
“It kind of exemplifies Phase 2 of the Washington Nationals’ process. Phase 1 was scouting and development, build the farm system type of program. We feel like we’re well on our way of doing that, and now it’s the time to go to the second phase, and really compete for division titles and championships.
“We feel that a player of Jayson Werth’s ilk, a two-way player, a guy who excels offensively, defensively, baserunning and exhibits five tools, that’s the type of player we’re looking for.”
Werth has some connections to his new club. Washington manager Jim Riggleman was an assistant coach for the Dodgers while Werth was playing there, and Werth’s uncle formerly was a teammate of Rizzo’s.
The Nationals figured to have money to spend after losing free agent Adam Dunn to the Chicago White Sox. Werth will help replace Dunn’s bat in the middle of the Nats’ lineup.
The move means that Werth will most likely play right field and protect Ryan Zimmerman in the lineup.
“For Jayson and his experiences in Philadelphia, and learning from many great players there and advancing his career, [the idea is] that he would certainly come into the locker room and display a winning attitude and provide the Nationals with something that he learned during his Major League career,” said Scott Boras, Werth’s agent.
Werth’s departure creates a hole in the Phillies’ lineup. Werth had an .889 on-base-plus-slugging percentage the past three seasons, which ranked 10th in the Majors for right-handed hitters and fifth among right-handed-hitting outfielders. His 87 home runs ranked eighth among right-handed hitters and second to Milwaukee’s Ryan Braun (94) among right-handed-hitting outfielders.
Werth also stole 53 bases and played strong defense over those three years.
Bill Ladson is a reporter for MLB.com
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